St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-06-18
THE CONFEDERATE FLAGS.
Endicott's Primal Responsibility
for the Rumpus.
Special to the Globe.

lOE tilC h oiI puSs
Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, June 17.-Itis rumored
that the secretary of war be asked to re-
sign on account of the battle-hag i'm
broglio. 1t is the duty of cabinet Of
ficers to investigate the law ON all
points before making a recommends
ton to the president. The secretary of
war made his recommendation, and the
president supposed he had investigated
everything necessary, and hence con-
Cured i'll the recommendation. 1t is
alleged that Villas became angry at the
cabinet meeting yesterday and de-
manded that the order be reScinded.
He said the old soldiers were appealing
to him by telegraph and letter. 1t is
m!sled by Gen. BoyntOn, who
suggested the return Of the battle
flags, and then when the matter
started Boynton employed counsel to
defend the flags. 1t was shrewd pO-
litical Job and the president was caught
III the tap by the careleSSneSS of the
secretary of war. Hence his resignation
is to lie called for by the president,
upon the recommendation of the party
leaders. The Eastern newspapers are
full OF discussions of the matter. The
best thus far seen is i'll special to the
Baltimore Sun, from Richmond, which
says that Gov. FitZ Hugh Lee, discussing
this matter last night, said: 1.-The pro-
poSal TO return the Southern battle flags
did not originate with Southern soldiers.
While they would have accepted again
theii banners bathed in the blood of
brave comrades, they recognized shat
flags captured in battle are the property
OF the victOrS, and are content to let
them remain in their charge. The flags
captured from Northern troops by
Southern soldiers have.been returned.
The country should not again be agi-
tated ever pieces of bunting that mean
nothing now. The South is part and
parcel of the Union to-day. and means
to do her part toward increasing the
prosperity and maintaining the peace
of the republic, whether flags rot in
Washington or are restored to their
formers custodianS. If any man hauls
down the American flag shoot him on
the spot, but don't let us getinto trouble
because other flags simply change their
resting place"
WAsnlNGToN, June 1.-THE official
record of the presentation of the battle
flag proposition to the president consists
of the following letter from Adit. Gen.
Drum and its Endorsement by Secretary
2 Endicott:
WAR DEPARTMENT., ApJuTAsT GENERALS
soFF1cE. WAsAISGToN, JUNE 10.--W1LLIAM
ENDIcoTT, Secretary of War: Dear Sir
have the honor to state that there are now
i'll this Office STORED III one of the atticS of the
buiding) q number Of flags captured in ac-
tion but recovered NJ the fall Of the Confed-
eracy and forwarded TO the War Department
for safe Keeping, together with number OF
Confederate flags, which the fortunes of war
placed in our hands during the late civilwar.
Willie III the past, favorable action has al
ways been taken on application, properly
supported. for tie return of Union flags TO
organizations representing the survivors CT
military regiments III the service of the gov
ernment, beg to submit that it would be q
graceful act TO anticipate future requests of
this nature, and venture to suggest the
rropriety Of returning all the flags Union
and Confederate) to the authorities of the
respective States i'll which the regiments
which bore these colors were organized, for
such final disposition as they may determine.
While in a.. Of the civilized nations of the
old world trophies taken in war against for
cign enemies have been casually preserved
and exhibited as proud mementoes of the ma
ton, S military glories. wise and obvious rea-
sons have always excepted from the rules
evidences of PAST internecine troubles.
which by appeals to the arbitration of the
sword, have disturbed the peaceful march of
apeople to its destiny. Over twenty years
civil war. Many of the prominent leaders,
civil and military, of the late Confederate
states, now honorcd representatives of the
people in tie national councilssor in other
eminent positions, lend the aid of their tai
entS to the wise administration of the affairs
of the'wholc country. and the people of the
several states comprising the Union are now
united creating the broad and glorious
future. Impressed with these facts. have
the honor 10 submit the suggestion made i'll
this letter for the careful consideration it
will receive at your hands.
Il. e. DRUM. Adjutant General.
The Endorsement of the secretary of
wal upon this letter is as follows:
War Department, May 26.-The within
recommendation is approved by the presi
dent and the adjuiant general will prepare
letters To the governors OF these states
whose troops carried the colors and flags
now in This department, with the offer 10 re-
turn them as herein proposed. The history
of each flag and the circumstances of its cap
ture TO be given WILLIAh E. ENDfcofF,
Secretary Of War.